Sicilian Revolution of 1848

The Sicilian Revolution of 1848 (12 January 1848-15 May 1849) was the first of the Revolutions of 1848, occurring when Sicily became an independent kingdom for sixteen months after rebelling against the Two Sicilies. The popular revolt coincided with the birthday of the Palermo-born Ferdinand II of the Two Sicilies, and the revolutionaries established the Sicilian Parliament with Vincenzo Fardella di Torrearsa as its president. The 20,000-strong rebel army faced off against the Bourbon army of General Carlo Filangieri, who landed near Messina on 3 September 1848. The city fell after fierce fighting, and his forces committed several atrocities near Catania. By May 1849, all of Sicily was in Neapolitan hands, and the leaders of the short-lived kingdom fled into exile as the revolt was bloodily quelled.